Distributor



Feb. '17. 1925. 1,526,45

F. E. WILLIAMS DISTRIBUTOR Filed April 25, 1924 n i lum* 2i/1 @J [M l MM#M L15 \J/9 l22 Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

"PATENT aniFFlfCiE.

nisfrnnauron.

. Application filed April 26,1924, A"Serial No."09',296.

To all whomz't may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK E. VILLLAMs, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Distributors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to amethod and apparatus for counting articlesand distributing them into a predetermined order or arrangement. Forpurposes ot illustration, but not for purposes of exhaustiveenumeration, one form of this distributor, adapted to place apredetermined number of pellets in the several recesses of a block, isdescribed herein.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this speciiication, inwhich like numbers of reference denote like parts Whereever they occur,

Figure 1 is a plan view oi' the distributor, showing it applied to arecessed block for the purpose of depositing the adhering pellets intothe several recesses of the block, the handle being in section on theline- 1-*1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a. sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the distributor, with its undersideitacing the observer; and

Figure 4; is a transverse vertical central sectional view, depicting thedistributor as presented to a box of pellets 'for receiving a supply ofthe latter.

The distributor comprises a plurality of parallel tubes 1, haring theirends closed by end Walls 2, and connected together intermediately oi'their lengths by a transverse tube 3, having closed ends or Walls 1i. Atube 5, Which, also, serves as a convenient handle for holding thedistributor, projects upwardly from the tube 3 midway oi? its length,and has secured thereto by threads 6 valve chamber 7. Valve chamber 7contains valve 8, normally retained in open position by a compressionspring 9, interposed between valve seat 10 and the innen terminus 1l oi'valve recess 12. Valve 8 is limited in its outward movement by shoulder13, and can be removed from the chamber, togetherivith spring 9, byunscrewing plug 14. A hose or other flexible tube 15 leading from anysuitable vacuum producer` may be connected to the outer end of tube 5.

The underside of the tubes 1 contain apertures 16, spaced to registerwith the recesses 1T oi the recessed block 1S, into each of whichrecesses preferably one of the pellets 19 is to be. deposited, as bestshown in G0 Figures 1 and 2. To locate the distributor accurately withreference to the block 18, loeating stops in the iorm of strips 2() areafiixed to the undersides of the tubes 1 near each of their ends,preferably by soldering or otherwise., so as to form connecting bridgesacross the several tubes 1,

In using the apparatus, the distributor is placed in a box 21 containinga supply ot' the pellets 19, as best shown in Figure et, whereupon, thevalve 8 being open, t-he vacuum suction is conununicated through hose15, handle 5, tube 3, and tubes 1 to the apertures 16, each of whichattracts or draws to itself, by reason of such suction, one of thepellets 19. which are slightly larger than the apertures 16, and sobecome seated thereon. The distributor is non' brought over the block18, its proper position being readily determined by placing the locatingstrips 20 one on each side ot' the block 18, When the pellets borne bythe tubes l will be brought directly over the respective recesses 17into which they properly belong. Valve 8 is now pressed inward, therebycutting ofi' the suction, and allowing the pellets to drop into therecesses 17.

The distributor need not necessarily be of the tubular form, nor needthe apertures be arranged as shown herein, but it may be modified toadapt it to various conditions ot use.

Having thus described this invention, I hereby reserve the benefit ofall changes in form, arrangement, order, or use of parts, as it isevident that many minor changes may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit of this invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a distributor, the combination of a plurality of tubes, andlocating strips connecting the same.

2. In a. distributor, the combination of a. plurality of tubes, locatingstrips adjacent either end and an intermediate tube connecting the same,and a hollow handle communicating with the said intermediate tube.

3. In a distributor, the combination of a plurality ci' tubes, locatingstrips adjacent either end and an intermediate tube connecting the same,a hollow handle communicating said tubes,

ing With the said intermediate tube, and a valve on the said handle.

4. In a distributor, a plurality of vaeuum-Suction tubes, locatingStrips connect'- a main tube connecting the vaeuunlleuction tubes andmeans controlling the loW ofjluid through the main tube.

5. In a distributor, a plurality of vacuumsuction tubes', locatingstrips connecting said tubes, a main tube connecting the Vaeuuin- 10 Intestimony whereof I hereunto affix my 15 signature.

FRANK E. lVILLIAMS.

